Eastbourne Borough
The Sports return to this level of football for the first time in 23 years. Back then they won promotion from the Southern League East to continue their progression. Eastbourne Borough spent five years in the next step up and were in the inaugural National South when non-league restructured. The Sussex side reached the National League via the playoffs where they stayed for three seasons. Last term brought an end to a 15-year stint in the National South when the finished bottom of the table.
2025/2026 Season
National South: 24th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Oluwalopemiwa Aderoju (15 goals)
It took Eastbourne Borough 11 games to find their first league victory last season. The Sports only managed nine all season, the only real highlight a 6-0 win against Hampton and Richmond at the end of November. The week before they had been thrashed 7-0 at Torquay United. With the Sussex club looking down and out, in March they turned to Steve King, who only managed a solitary league triumph and that was on the final day. Only Farnborough had a worst defence in the National South last season.
Manager – Steve King
A familiar face to Dartford fans and a familiar face in Sussex. Steve King has bags of experience, plenty of contacts and has been one of the most successful managers in the National South. He took Lewes from the Isthmian South to the National League; he has reached multiple end of season playoffs with various clubs including Dartford. King has taken charge at local rivals Whitehawk and guided them to the F.A Cup second round, he also led Macclesfield Town to the fourth round. Since departing the Darts in 2022, King has had spells with Gloucester City, Havant and Waterlooville, Hednesford Town and now Eastbourne Borough.
Summer Transfers
The squad has been overhauled for 2026/2027 with King bringing in a couple of players he has worked with before. At Dartford, Darren McQueen and Liam Nash worked with the current Eastbourne Borough boss. McQueen scored 30 goals over two spells at the Darts where he made 76 appearances, the striker joins from Hornchurch. Nash had a shorter stint netting five times in 11 games and was last at Aveley.
Following McQueen from Hornchurch will be Josh Rees, whilst Max Sheaf arrives from one of King’s former clubs Hednesford Town. Matthew Hayden comes in from Brighton and Hove Albion and Lewis Carey from Horsham. From the lower leagues Tyrano Wilson makes the short journey from Eastbourne United and Owen Bellamy is a new signing from Witham Town.
Many have departed Eastbourne Borough with some of those finding clubs in the National South. Jayden Davis moves to Maidstone United, Harvey Lintott to Tonbridge Angels, Isaac Pitblado (Hemel Hempstead Town), Archy Taylor (Horsham) and Dan Quick (Folkestone Invicta). Two will be playing football in another country, Laiith Fairnie goes north of the border to Morton and Quevin Castro will be in Portugal representing Real SC. Lachlan Byrd switches to Chertsey Town and Will Harley to Crawley Down. Several others have been released by the club and have yet to find a team.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 15 / Eastbourne Borough wins: 10 / Draws: 5
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 0 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (01/04/2024 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 1 – 1 Dartford (24/10/2023 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 2 – 1 Dartford (07/04/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (27/09/2022 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 2 – 7 Dartford (07/05/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (30/08/2021 – National South)
Next Meetings
Dartford v Eastbourne Borough – Saturday 7th November 2026
Eastbourne Borough v Dartford – Saturday 16th January 2027
Statistics
- Dartford are winless in their last three matches against Eastbourne Borough (D1, L2)
- The Darts have lost just two of the last ten home games against the Sports in the league (W7, D1)
- Dartford have won just one of their last four visits to Eastbourne Borough (D1, L2)
Match Highlights 2023/2024
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
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